Distal radioulnar joint brace

Abstract

To suppress the occurrence of pain by stabilizing a distal radioulnar joint even when a hand is moved.SOLUTION: A pressing unit (3) made of an elastically deformable material, extending from the base unit (2) toward an inner side in a radial direction (Dr) of the base unit (2), and having a biasing force for pressing the portion corresponding to the 105s of the ulnar head toward the inner side in the radial direction (Dr), and a belt (5) wound around the wrist part (100) on an outer side in the radial direction (Dr) of the base unit (2) and the pressing unit (3), 100f 105s, the base part 2 has a pair of abutting parts 100f and 2q extending to both sides in the extending direction of the wrist part 100 with respect to the pressing part 3 and abutting on the outer surface 2p of the wrist part 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a distal radioulnar joint brace. [Background technology]

[0002] The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is attached to the radius, ulna, and carpal bones that make up the wrist. The triangular fibrocartilage complex is a soft tissue composed of triangular fibrocartilage, the radioulnar ligament, and the ulnar collateral ligament. For example, the triangular fibrocartilage complex can be damaged when repeated stress is applied to the wrist, such as when swinging a tennis or badminton racket, a baseball bat, or a golf club, or when falling on one's hands and excessive rotational force is applied to the wrist.

[0003] As shown in Figure 5, when the hand 103 is rotated in the pronation and supination directions from the neutral position, the ulna 105 is displaced relative to the radius 104. The triangular fibrocartilage complex is important as a support mechanism for the ulnar side of the wrist against such displacement, and has the function of stabilizing the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ). Damage to the triangular fibrocartilage complex can cause instability of the distal radioulnar joint, leading to subluxation or dislocation of the ulnar head. This can lead to pain when performing actions such as twisting a doorknob or a plastic bottle cap, wringing a towel, or lifting luggage onto a shelf. In particular, when the forearm is in maximum pronation, the ulnar head tends to subluxate, increasing pain.

[0004] Treatments for these symptoms include conservative treatments such as bracing, physical therapy, and massage, as well as surgical treatment. Of these, bracing therapy using braces has been reported to improve pain, and is therefore often used. Such braces are made of thermoplastic material and are molded to fit around the patient's wrist.

[0005] There are also pre-made braces and supports available on the market that simply wrap around the wrist or provide extensive support down to the base of the fingers, thereby attempting to limit wrist movement. Furthermore, for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that includes a main body that covers the wrist and at least two pressing members provided on the main body, and the pressing members compress at least a portion of the ulna so as to sandwich the ulna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-171465 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, orthotics made from thermoplastic materials are difficult to make unless one has specialized skills, such as an occupational therapist or a doctor. Furthermore, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 and other ready-made braces and supports do not take into consideration the kinematic mechanism of the forearm's pronation and supination movements, and therefore it is difficult to say that they provide sufficient effectiveness. As a result, pain may occur when moving the hand.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an orthosis for the distal radioulnar joint that can stabilize the distal radioulnar joint and reduce pain even when the hand is moved. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A distal radioulnar joint brace according to one aspect of the present invention is a distal radioulnar joint brace worn on a wrist including a region corresponding to the head of the ulna of a wearer, and includes: a base portion curved to fit along a portion of the circumference of the outer surface of the wrist; a pressing portion made of an elastically deformable material, extending radially inward from the base portion and having a biasing force that presses the region corresponding to the head of the ulna radially inward; and a belt that is wrapped around the wrist radially outside the base portion and the pressing portion, and the base portion has a pair of abutment portions that extend on either side of the pressing portion in the direction of extension of the wearer's forearm and abut against the outer surface of the wrist.

[0010] In addition, in a distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the pressing portion extends gradually radially inward from the edge of the opening formed in the base portion on one circumferential side toward the other circumferential side.

[0011] In addition, in one aspect of the distal radioulnar joint orthosis of the present invention, the belt has a base end fixed to the base portion on the other circumferential side of the opening, and is inserted through the opening from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side from the other circumferential side toward the one circumferential side, and follows the radially outer outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion on the one circumferential side of the opening.

[0012] In a distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the tip of the belt is detachably fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the base portion.

[0013] In addition, in a distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the belt is stretchable and is wound around the radially outer side of the base portion and the pressing portion while being tensioned.

[0014] In the distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion and the pressing portion are formed from a material containing a thermoplastic resin.

[0015] In the distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the base portion is formed to be harder than the pressing portion.

[0016] In addition, in a distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, a first auxiliary belt is wound around the wrist portion at a position spaced apart from the belt on one side in a direction in which the wearer's forearm extends relative to the pressing portion, on the radially outer side of the base portion; The device further includes a second auxiliary belt that is wound around the wrist portion radially outside the base portion at a position spaced apart from the belt on the other side in the direction in which the wearer's forearm extends relative to the pressing portion.

[0017] In addition, in a distal radioulnar joint orthosis according to one aspect of the present invention, the first auxiliary belt is wound around the wearer's hand between the thumb and index finger. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the distal radioulnar joint brace of the present invention, even when the hand is moved, the distal radioulnar joint can be stabilized and pain can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a view of a distal radioulnar joint brace according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the dorsal side of a wearer's wrist. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a base portion and a pressing portion of the distal radioulnar joint brace. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a view of the distal radioulnar joint brace as seen from the palm side of the wearer's wrist. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG. [Figure 5] This figure shows the position of the radius and ulna when the hand is moved in the pronation and supination directions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a distal radioulnar joint brace according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. (Configuration of distal radioulnar joint brace) 1 to 4, the distal radioulnar joint brace 1 includes a base portion 2, a pressing portion 3, a belt 5, a first auxiliary belt 6, and a second auxiliary belt 7. This distal radioulnar joint brace 1 is worn on the wearer's wrist 100, which includes a region corresponding to the ulnar head 105s.

[0021] The base portion 2 is formed, for example, by bending a mesh-shaped thermoplastic resin plate material into a predetermined shape in advance. When the distal radioulnar joint brace 1 is worn on the wrist 100 of a wearer, the base portion 2 is curved so as to follow a portion of the circumferential direction Dc of the outer surface 100f of the wrist 100 (see FIG. 4). As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the base portion 2 is curved, for example, in a C-shape when viewed from the direction Da in which the wearer's forearm 101 extends. The base portion 2 extends from a portion of the entire circumference of the outer surface 100f of the wrist 100 corresponding to the ulnar head 105s to one side in the circumferential direction Dc and the other side in the circumferential direction Dc. An intermediate portion 2c of the base portion 2 in the circumferential direction Dc contacts the outer surface 100f on the ulnar side (little finger side) of the wrist 100. One end 2b of the base 2 in the circumferential direction Dc is formed, for example, to cover a portion of the ulnar side of the palm side of the wearer's wrist 100. The other end 2a of the base 2 in the circumferential direction Dc is formed, for example, to cover a portion of the dorsal side of the wearer's wrist 100.

[0022] 1 and 2, the base portion 2 extends on both sides of the pressing portion 3, which will be described later, in the direction Da in which the wearer's forearm 101 (wrist 100) extends. The base portion 2 has a pair of contact portions 2p and 2q that contact the back of the wrist 100 on one side and the other side of the pressing portion 3 in the direction Da in which the forearm 101 extends.

[0023] 1, 2, and 4, an opening 22 is formed in the base portion 2 at a portion corresponding to the ulnar head 105s. In this embodiment, the opening 22 is formed, for example, in a rectangular shape. This prevents the portion of the wrist 100 corresponding to the ulnar head 105s from coming into contact with the base portion 2.

[0024] An opening edge 22a on the other side in the circumferential direction Dc of the opening 22 is spaced a predetermined distance on the ulnar side from an end 2a on the other side in the circumferential direction Dc of the base part 2. As a result, a band-shaped part 2r that is continuous in the direction Da in which the wearer's forearm 101 extends is formed in the base part 2 between the end 2a and the opening edge 22a.

[0025] The pressing portion 3 extends from the base portion 2 inward in the radial direction Dr of the base portion 2. The pressing portion 3 is formed integrally with the base portion 2. That is, the pressing portion 3 is formed from a mesh-like plate material made of thermoplastic resin. The pressing portion 3 is formed by making U-shaped cuts 2k in the plate material forming the base portion 2 and curving the plate material inside the cuts 2k inward in the radial direction Dr so that the radius of curvature is smaller than the radius of curvature of the base portion 2. The pressing portion 3 is formed in the shape of an elastically deformable cantilever beam so as to gradually extend inward in the radial direction Dr from an opening edge 22b on one side in the circumferential direction Dc of the opening 22 toward the other side in the circumferential direction Dc.

[0026] The pressing portion 3 is formed from a plate material of the same thickness as the base portion 2, but has a width dimension W1 in the direction Da in which the wearer's forearm 101 extends that is smaller than a width dimension W2 of the base portion 2. For this reason, the pressing portion 3 is formed to be softer and more easily elastically deformed than the base portion 2. In other words, the base portion 2 is formed to be harder than the pressing portion 3. Such a pressing portion 3 has a biasing force that presses the area corresponding to the ulnar head 105s inward in the radial direction Dr when the base portion 2 is aligned with the wrist 100 of the wearer.

[0027] 4, a cushioning material 35 is provided on the inner side in the radial direction Dr of the pressing portion 3. The cushioning material 35 is made of, for example, a sponge material, chloroprene rubber, or the like, and prevents the pressing portion 3 from digging into the wrist 100 of the wearer, and also distributes the force of the pressing portion 3 pressing the area corresponding to the ulnar head 105s toward the inner side in the radial direction Dr over a wider range.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the belt 5 is wrapped around the wrist portion 100 on the radially outer side of the base portion 2 and the pressing portion 3 in the radial direction Dr. The base end 5b of the belt 5 is joined and fixed to the band-shaped portion 2r of the base portion 2 by adhesive bonding, welding, or the like, on the other side of the circumferential direction Dc of the opening 22. The base end 5b of the belt 5 is joined to the surface of the band-shaped portion 2r facing outward in the radial direction Dr. The belt 5 extends from the base end 5b to one side in the circumferential direction Dc. The belt 5 is wound from the surface of the band-shaped portion 2r facing outward in the radial direction Dr to the surface facing inward in the radial direction Dr of the band-shaped portion 2r, and is inserted into the opening 22 from the inner side in the radial direction Dr to the outer side in the radial direction Dr, moving from the other side in the circumferential direction Dc to the one side in the circumferential direction Dc. The belt 5 inserted into the opening 22 runs along the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 2 on the radially outer side in the radial direction Dr, on the one side of the circumferential direction Dc of the opening 22. At this time, the base end 5b of the belt 5 is inserted through the opening 22 from the inside in the radial direction Dr to the outside in the radial direction Dr from the other side in the circumferential direction Dc to the one side in the circumferential direction Dc, so that the belt 5 abuts against the base end 3b of the pressing part 3 near the opening edge 22b on one side in the circumferential direction Dc of the opening 22. The belt 5 is wrapped around the wrist part 100 one or more times in the circumferential direction Dc. As shown in FIG. 3, the tip end 5s of the belt 5 is detachably fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the base part 2 by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

[0029] The belt 5 is made of a material such as chloroprene rubber and has elasticity. The belt 5 is tensioned by pulling it to one side in the circumferential direction Dc and fixing the tip portion 5s to the outer peripheral surface of the base portion 2. The tensioned belt 5 presses the pressing portion 3 inward in the radial direction Dr. As a result, the pressing portion 3 presses the wearer's ulnar head 105s in a direction that suppresses subluxation.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 are provided on one side and the other side of the pressing part 3 in the direction Da in which the wrist part 100 extends.

[0031] The first auxiliary belt 6 is wound around the wrist portion 100 on the outside in the radial direction Dr of the base portion 2, at a position spaced apart from one side in the direction Da in which the wrist portion 100 extends relative to the pressing portion 3. One end 6a of the first auxiliary belt 6 is fixed to the end portion 2a of the base portion 2 by, for example, adhesive bonding or welding. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the first auxiliary belt 6 is passed from one end 6a between the base of the thumb 111 and the index finger 112 of the wearer's hand and detachably connected to the end portion 2b of the base portion 2 by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

[0032] The second auxiliary belt 7 is wound around the wrist portion 100 on the radially outer side of the base portion 2 in the radial direction Dr, at a position spaced apart from the pressing portion 3 on the other side in the direction Da in which the wrist portion 100 extends. One end 7a of the second auxiliary belt 7 is fixed to the end portion 2a of the base portion 2 by, for example, adhesive bonding or welding. The second auxiliary belt 7 passes from the one end 7a over the radial side (thumb side) of the wearer's forearm 101 and is detachably connected to the end portion 2b of the base portion 2 by a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

[0033] Like the belt 5, the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 are made of a material such as chloroprene rubber and have elasticity. Tension is applied to the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 by fastening the other ends 6b and 7b to the outer peripheral surface of the base part 2 while pulling them in the circumferential direction Dc. The contact parts 2p and 2q of the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 to which tension is applied press the contact parts 2p and 2q against the wrist part 100.

[0034] To wear such a distal radioulnar joint orthosis 1, the base portion 2 is aligned with the outer surface 100f of the wearer's wrist 100, and the pressing portion 3 is brought into contact with the ulnar head 105s. Furthermore, in this state, the belt 5 is wound around the wrist 100 on the radially outer side of the base portion 2 and the pressing portion 3, and the base end portion 5b of the belt 5 is fixed to the base portion 2. Furthermore, while pulling the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 in the circumferential direction Dc, the belt 5 is wound around the wrist 100 on the radially outer side of the base portion 2, and the other ends 6b, 7b are fixed to the base portion 2.

[0035] (Action and effect) The distal radioulnar joint orthosis 1 configured as described above includes a pressing unit 3 that extends from the base unit 2 inward in the radial direction Dr of the base unit 2 and has a biasing force that presses a region corresponding to the ulnar head 105s inward in the radial direction Dr, and a belt 5 that is wrapped around the wrist unit 100 on the radially outer side of the base unit 2 and the pressing unit 3. Furthermore, the base unit 2 has a pair of abutment units 2p, 2q that extend on both sides of the pressing unit 3 in the direction Da in which the wrist unit 100 extends and abut against the outer surface 100f of the wrist unit 100. As a result, when the belt 5 is tightened, the pressing unit 3 is pressed inward in the radial direction Dr by the belt 5, causing elastic deformation, and it is possible to prevent the ulnar head 105s from being displaced in the direction of subluxation. Furthermore, the base portion 2 has a pair of contact portions 2p, 2q on both sides of the pressing portion 3 in the direction Da in which the wrist portion 100 extends, and therefore the pressing portion 3 is pressed inward in the radial direction Dr and elastically deformed with the contact portions 2p, 2q that are in contact with the wrist portion 100 as reference points. Therefore, the ulnar head 105s can be more effectively held down, and the distal radioulnar joint can be stabilized and pain can be reduced even when the hand is moved.

[0036] Furthermore, the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 fix the contact portions 2p and 2q in a state in contact with the wrist 100. As a result, the pressing portion 3 is more clearly pressed inward in the radial direction Dr, based on the contact portions 2p and 2q in contact with the wrist 100, and elastically deforms. Therefore, even when the hand is moved, the distal radioulnar joint can be more effectively stabilized, and pain can be reduced.

[0037] (Other embodiments) The above describes in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the first auxiliary belt 6 and the second auxiliary belt 7 are provided, but instead of these, a cylindrical supporter that covers the entire base portion 2 may be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Distal radioulnar joint brace 2...Base 2a, 2b...ends 2p, 2q...Contact part 3...Pressing part 3b…Proximal end 5...Belt 5b...Proximal end 5s…Tip 6...First auxiliary belt 7...Second auxiliary belt 22...Opening 22a, 22b...Opening edges 100...Wrist part 100f…outer surface 101...Forearm 105s…ulnar head 111...thumb 112...index finger

Claims

1. A distal radioulnar joint brace is attached to a wrist part including a portion corresponding to the ulnar head of a wearer, a base portion curved along a portion of the circumferential direction of the outer surface of the wrist portion; a pressing portion made of an elastically deformable material, extending from the base portion radially inward of the base portion, and having a biasing force that presses a portion corresponding to the ulnar head radially inward; a belt wound around the wrist portion radially outside the base portion and the pressing portion, The base portion has a pair of contact portions that extend on both sides of the pressing portion in the direction in which the wearer's forearm extends and contact the outer surface of the wrist portion. Distal radioulnar joint orthosis.

2. The pressing portion extends gradually radially inward from an opening edge on one circumferential side of the opening formed in the base portion toward the other circumferential side. The distal radioulnar joint brace of claim 1.

3. The belt has a base end fixed to the base portion on the other circumferential side of the opening, is inserted through the opening from the radially inner side toward the radially outer side from the other circumferential side toward the one circumferential side, and is disposed along the radially outer outer peripheral surface of the pressing portion on the one circumferential side of the opening. The distal radioulnar joint brace of claim 2.

4. The tip of the belt is detachably fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the base portion. The distal radioulnar joint brace of claim 3.

5. The belt is stretchable and is wound around the radially outer sides of the base portion and the pressing portion while tension is applied. The distal radioulnar joint brace according to claim 2 or 3.

6. The base portion and the pressing portion are formed of a material containing a thermoplastic resin. The distal radioulnar joint brace according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The base portion is formed to be harder than the pressing portion. The distal radioulnar joint brace according to claim 1 or 2.

8. a first auxiliary belt that is wound around the wrist portion at a position spaced apart from the pressing portion on one side in the direction in which the wearer's forearm extends, and on the radially outer side of the base portion; a second auxiliary belt that is wound around the wrist portion on the radially outer side of the base portion at a position spaced apart from the pressing portion on the other side in the direction in which the wearer's forearm extends. The distal radioulnar joint brace according to claim 1 or 2.

9. The first auxiliary belt is wound around the wearer's hand between the thumb and index finger. The distal radioulnar joint brace of claim 8.

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